CAPS FAQ

Continence Aids Payment Scheme frequently asked questions:

What is the CAPS?

The Continence Aids Payment Scheme is an Australian Government payment that will assist eligible people who have permanent and severe incontinence to meet some of the costs of their continence products.  

It will be a direct payment to clients, by Medicare Australia, to a nominated bank account or supplier.

 

What is the difference between the CAAS and the CAPS?

The CAAS was administered by Intouch, a sole trusted provider. The CAPS will be administered by Medicare Australia and will provide a direct payment to either a clients nominated bank account or nominated supplier.

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Who is eligible for the CAPS?

Eligible other conditions require that the applicant has a valid Centrelink or DVA Pensioner Concession Card or entitlement, whether as a primary cardholder or as a dependant of a cardholder.

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Will eligibility for CAPS be reviewed?

  • People with permanent and severe incontinence should have a continence management plan in place that is reviewed by their health professional on a periodic basis.
  • Reviews of a client’s continence needs should be negotiated and agreed between the client and health professional.
  • CAPS clients are required to notify Medicare Australia of any change in their circumstances that affects their eligibility, and from time to time, may be asked to confirm their eligibility.

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How do I apply for CAPS?

If you are a current CAAS client you will be transferred to the new Scheme provided you meet Medicare’s request for additional information.

If you would like to transfer your CAPS funding to an Intouch Direct account, fill in the pre-populated form here.

Once completed, send the form back to:

Intouch

Reply Paid 1940

Springwood QLD 4127

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How much is the CAPS payment?

The CAPS payment for 2011-12 is up to $506.30 and will continue to be indexed annually.

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How often will the payments be made?

  • Applicants can choose one full payment in July, or two half payments in July and January each year.
  • Medicare Australia will continue to make the payment to a client’s bank account annually/biannually unless notified otherwise. If your clients would like to use Intouch Direct as their nominated provider, contact us on 1300 134 260 to register your interest and to ensure they have an Intouch Direct account.
  • Clients are expected to use CAPS funds to purchase continence products.
  • For new CAPS applicants, in the first year of participation in the scheme, the amount of money they will receive is determined on a 365 day pro-rata basis, calculated from the day the application is processed (the financial year runs from 1 July-30 June).

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What happens if a client uses all of the payment?

  • The CAPS contribution (paid once or twice per annum) is a one-off amount. No additional funds will be provided under the scheme.
  • Clients can contact the National Continence Helpline 1800 330 066 for information on opportunities about additional products or funding.
  • They may also be able to access their local State based continence scheme.

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Who will be making the payment to my bank account?

The CAPS will be administered by Medicare Australia.

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How will Medicare Australia get my details?

If you were a CAAS client your details will be provided to Medicare Australia in accordance with the CAAS Application Guidelines to enable them to contact you and assist you with the transfer to the new scheme.

Clients who were not on the CAAS can apply for the CAPS program using the form here.

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Will clients need to produce receipts for their payment?

Clients will not be required to produce receipts. The CAPS is not a reimbursement scheme.

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Will the CAPS payment affect a client's income?

  • No. An Income Tax exemption has been approved for the CAPS.This will mean that CAPS payments will be excluded from any calculation of income.
  • The CAPS will also be excluded from the calculation of income for low level residential care in an Australian Government aged care facility, or any Centrelink calculations.

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Will the CAPS affect a client’s entitlement to continence products from state or territory schemes?

  • Policy decisions for the supply and eligibility of continence products for state and territory schemes are separate to the Australian Government CAPS.
  • A client, their nominee, or health professional can contact the National Continence Helpline 1800 330 066 for information on the state and territory government schemes.

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Will clients receive a record of their payments?

Yes, from 1 July 2010 Medicare Australia will issue statements to CAPS clients, once payment(s) have been made.

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What if a client is not able to order their own continence products?

Clients can authorise someone else to order on their behalf, they may also be able to use government funded services, for example Home and Community Care Services.

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Can a client nominate to have a payment made directly into a guardian’s bank account?

  • Yes, a client can nominate to have the payment made directly to a guardian’s account, although certified documentary evidence of the legal relationship will be required by Medicare Australia.
  • A parent/custodial parent can nominate a bank account in their name for a CAPS client (child) who is under 14 years of age, provided there is a direct relationship to the child. The parent’s bank account can be provided for a child aged between 14 and 18 years of age if the child does not have the capacity to act on their own behalf.

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Can a client nominate to have a payment made directly to a service provider or organisation of their choice?

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Can health professionals order products for clients under the new scheme?

A health professional can order products for a client, provided the client agrees to this and appropriate payment arrangements are in place with a continence supplier. Set your clients up today with Intouch Direct accounts to continue to receive the same service and convenience they currently enjoy, call 1300 134 260.

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Can the local health service stock products on behalf of the CAPS clients?

CAPS clients (including those in rural and remote areas) can order products from a supplier of their choice or enter into arrangements with services/providers to procure products on their behalf.

  • If any of your clients need free product samples or a product catalogue, contact Intouch Direct on 1300 134 260.

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How long will applications take to be processed?

This will depend on the completeness of the application form. If Medicare Australia receives all information necessary to process the application form, the CAPS payment should be made to the nominated bank account or supplier within two weeks.

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How will applicants know if their application form has been approved?

  • When an application form has been approved a payment will be made into the applicant’s nominated bank account within two weeks of processing.
  • Following the payment, clients will receive a statement from Medicare Australia confirming the transaction.
  • If the application form is incomplete, Medicare Australia will contact the applicant requesting additional information.

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What sort of products can be purchased under the CAPS?

CAPS clients will be able to purchase any continence products appropriate for their personal incontinence needs. 

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Where can CAPS clients purchase products?

  • CAPS clients will be able to purchase products from any continence product supplier.
  • CAPS clients can also purchase with Intouch Direct, call 1300 134 260 to ensure your clients have an account and nominate Intouch Direct as their service provider of choice.

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CAAS clients received up to four free deliveries when ordering products from Intouch. Will CAPS clients now have to pay for postage?

  • When ordering from a continence product supplier, CAPS clients should ask about the postage costs and discuss postage options.
  • Buy online from Intouch Direct to recieve free direct-to-door shipping Australia-wide.

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How will clients know what products to buy?

  • Intouch Direct has consultants available on 1300 134 260 who can assist with descriptive advice about products.
  • Clients with permanent and severe incontinence should seek to have a continence management plan in place to manage their condition, including education about appropriate products for their individual circumstances.
  • Clients can also speak with their GP or health professional about product requirements suitable for their condition.
  • The National Continence Helpline 1800 330 066 has clinical staff who can make some suggestions provided the person has had an assessment of their condition by a health professional.

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